| A | B |
|---|
| ad-lib | to create movement or conversation on the spot |
| at rise | who and what are on stage when the curtain opens |
| backstage (or back) | stage area not visible to audience |
| bit | acting role with very few lines |
| blocking yourself | getting behind furniture or actors so that you are unseen by audience |
| building a scene | using dramatic devices (tempo, volume, emphasis) to bring a scene to climax |
| business | specific action other than movement performed on stage - i.e. picking up a book or turning on TV |
| C | symbol for center stage |
| countercross | shifting of 2 or more actors to balance the stage picture |
| cover | obstruct the view of audience |
| cross | movement by actor from one location to another on stage |
| cue | stage signal |
| curtain | indicates that curtain should be closed |
| cut | stop action or omit |
| cut in | to break into the speech of another actor |
| downstage (down) | area of stage toward the audience |
| dressing the stage | keeping stage picture balanced |
| exit (exeunt) | leave the stage |
| feeding | giving lines and action in order for another actor to make a point or get a laugh |
| foil | acting role used for comparison; antagonist |
| hand props | props carried on stage by individual actors |
| hit | to emphasize a word or line with extra force |
| holding for laughs | waiting for audience to quiet after a funny line or scene |
| left and right | stage directions from the actors point of view (not the audience) |
| milk | to draw maximum response from the audience |
| offstage (off) | off visible stage |
| onstage (on) | on visible stage |
| overlap | actors speak at the same time |
| pace | speed of progression of the play |
| personal props | small props carried in costume - i.e. money, pen |
| places | positions of actors at the beginning of an act or scene |
| plot | plan a speech or action by working out movement, phrasing, emphasis, inflection |
| pointing lines | emphasizing the idea |
| principals | main characters in a play |
| properties (props) | stage furnishings |
| ring up | raise the curtain |
| role scoring | analysis of a character |
| script scoring or scripting | marking of the script for one character, indicating interpretation, pauses, stress, etc. |
| set | scenery for an act or scene |
| set props | props placed on stage for use of actors |
| showmanship | stage charisma |
| sides | half-sheet pages containing cues, lines and business for one character |
| stealing a scene | attracting attention from person whom center of interest belongs |
| subtext | interpretation of character supplied by the actor |
| tag line | last speech in an act or play, usually clever or funny |
| taking the stage | freedom of actor to use the entire stage during a lengthy speech |
| tempo | speed at which action of play moves along |
| timing | execution of line or action to achieve the most telling effect |
| top | to build climax through speech techniques |
| upstage (up) | area of stage away from the audience - toward the back |
| upstaging | improperly taking attention from an actor who should be the focus of interest |
| walk-on | small acting part with no lines |
| warn | to notify of an upcoming action or cue |
| supporting roles | roles with less stage time, but with equal importance to principals |
| knap | sliding, slapping sound or clap to fake the sound of hitting (stage combat) |
